Internet explodes with reactions to Time's 'Person of the Year'

It started with one brave woman, one decision to take a stand, to come forward with the truth of how a man had treated her. Another spoke up. Then another, and another. “Me too” quickly became the global glue that bonded women with their shared experiences of sexual harassment and assault. They were finally being heard.

The movement, which is gaining more steam every day, has the power to forever change the way women are treated in the workplace and in their day-to-day lives. Today, however, the phenomenon has been given a special accolade, one that speaks to the impact it has already achieved.

Time magazine revealed that its annual “Person of the Year” honor actually belonged to not one person but countless individuals. The internet exploded with praise for “the Silence Breakers: The Voices Who Launched a Movement.” This year, the Time honor goes out to all women who participated in the #metoo movement that swept not only the United States but the entire world. As Time writer Edward Felsenthal said, “It became a hashtag, a movement, a reckoning.”

The cover features six women: Ashley Judd, Susan Fowler, Adama Iwu, Taylor Swift, Isabel Pascual, and a faceless individual who represents the hundreds of females who anonymously came forward with their stories of sexual harassment. Scandal star Kerry Washington was especially moved by the woman we can’t see.

Wow. This cover is very inspiring. I’m so especially moved by the presence of the faceless woman who speaks in anonymity. So brave. #MeToo THANK YOU @TIMEhttps://t.co/SfLFKwqhEz

The Silence Breakers beat out several notable people on Time’s short list, including NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. But most notably, and ironically, #metoo toppled President Donald Trump, who was actually Time’s runner-up this year. Many critics noted the poetic justice in a sexual harassment reckoning hanging over Trump, who has been accused of such violations by more than a dozen women.

Congrats Mr. Trump. You did make the Time Magazine Person of the Year Issue after all. You are mentioned 8 times in the issue as being a sexual predator! #TIMEPOY#PersonOfTheYear#MeToo